Mattress



Nov. 21, 1961 M. .L RYMLAND 3,009,171

' MATTRESS Filed July 14, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Mummy J.fiYMLAA/D ATTORNEYS Nov. 21, 1 1 M. J. RYMLAND 3,009,171

MATTRESS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 14, 1958 INVENTOR MURRAY J. Run-ArmMW 1am fMw ATTORNEYS Nov. 21, 1961 M. J. RYMLAND MATTRESS 3 Sheets-Sheet3 Filed July 14, 1958 INVENTOR MURRA Y J. R YMLAA/D W/WYLMWH/ ATTORNEYSUnited States Pate 3,009,171 MATTRESS Murray J. Rymland, Comfort SpringCorp, 2700 Hollins Ferry Road, Baltimore 30, Md. Filed July 14, 1958,Ser. No. 748,384 2 Claims. (Cl. 252) This invention relates tomattresses or the like of the so-called inner-spring type utilizing coilsprings.

Conventional inner spring mattresses, due to their inherent resiliencyor readily deformed characteristics, sometimes do not provide thenecessary or desired comfort or posture support. For example, somepeople may prefer or need a mattress that will provide greater stiffnessor rigidity in certain local areas or throughout the entire mattress.Accordingly, stifif boards or the like are some times used underneaththe mattress but this has not always been found to be satisfactoryparticularly since the individual coil springs in the mattress are stillfree to be deformed throughout their entire lengths within the mattress.

It has been previously suggested to construct an innerspring mattresswith a posture-aiding and stiff board or plate therein. In'suchmattresses, there are provided an upper layer of coil springs, and alower layer of coil springs with the board disposed between andseparating these layers, the board and the upper and lower layers beingcoextensive with the area of the mattress. These mattresses have notbeen entirely acceptable commercially or therapeutically for variousreasons. Among others, they require twice as many springs as othermattresses of the same length and width due to the use of the upper andlower layers of springs, as Well as other constructional features makingthem more expensive and difiicult to construct. Furthermore, since, theintermediate board covers the entire mattress and is permanentlyconnected to the springs, the mattress is only adapted to providecomfort to users requiring additional stiffness throughout the entirelength and width of the mattress. As is evident, the posture-aidingcharacteristics for mattresses required or preferred are not always thesame for all people nor do they necessarily remain the same for eachperson.

Hence, an important object of my invention is to pr0- vide a novelconstruction for mattresses, of the type referred to, particularlyadapted to overcome the foregoing and other disadvantages of priorpractices.

Another object resides in the provision of a novel coil spring mattressarrangement designed to furnish optimum comfort to users irrespective oftheir special posture requirements or preferences.

A more specific object is to improve spring mattress constructions sothat the mattress may be used in a normal, readily deformable conditionyet may be conveniently altered, if desired, to provide areas of greaterrigidity or stiffness either locally or throughout the entire length andwidth of the mattress, depending on the users needs or preferences.

In one aspect, the invention contemplates a spring mattress constructedof a plurality of coil springs connected together in substantialparallelism to define a plurality of spaced, parallel lines of springs,and including a stiff and planar member arranged between adjacent linesof said springs and extending parallel to said adjacent lines, saidmember being structurally independent of the means used to connect thesprings together and in engagement with intermediate convolutions ofcorresponding and opposed springs in said adjacent lines. These adjacentparallel lines of springs may extend longitudinally, transversely and/ordiagonally of the spring mattress. Additionally, other similar membersmay be similarly arrangedbetween other pairs of adjacent lines ofsprings. In the specific embodiment of the invention, as will bedescribed in detail hereinafter, these members are adapted to be readilyremoved from the mattress and are of generally elongated, rectangularshape, of uniform width, and lying in a plane generally perpendicular tothe axes of the springs.

It will be appreciated that additional objects of the invention relateto new structures and arrangements for spring mattresses wherebymattresses of superior versatility can be manufactured inexpensivewithout requiring any special machinery, skill, or procedure. In fact,they may be fabricated by existing machinery and techniques, if desired.Furthermore, these new structures and arrangements are of such characterthat they may be designed for convenient incorporation into existing andpresently used spring mattresses.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be in part obviousand in part pointed out hereinafter.

The novel features of the invention may be best made clear from thefollowing description and accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of an exemplary spring assembly embody-ing theinvention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged elevational view of a portion of the springassembly of FIGURE 1 and taken in the direction of arrows 2-2;

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view of another embodi- 'ment of theinvention in the exemplary spring assembly;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of a portion of the assembly of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is an elevational view taken in the direction of the arrows 5-5of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of the exemplary spring assembly incorporatingstill another embodiment of the in vention;

FIGURE 7 is an elevational view taken generally along,

line '77 of FIGURE 6.

An exemplary spring cushion assembly 20 is shown in.

the drawings as being defined by a plurality of component helical orcoil springs 22, constructed of Wire or the like in conventional manner.Although not shown, it will be understood that padding and a cover orupholstering for the spring cushion assembly will be provided. Springcushion assemblies of this type are commonly utilized as mattresses forbeds or convertible sofas, or as spring cushions for chairs, as isunderstood.

The springs 22 are shown as being arranged in sub-.

stantial parallelism along spaced and parallel longitudinal lines orrows 24 and transverse lines or files 26. The springs are shown as beingconnected together in this relationship by means of tie wires 28 andclips 30 engaged to overlapping arcuate portions of end convolutions 32of the springs, for example, in accordance with the teachings of myprior Patent No. 2,630,586 ormy copending applications Serial .Nos.495,309, filed March 18, 1955, now Patent No. 2,857,603, issued October28, 1958, 596,589, filed July 9, 1956, 596,590, July 9, 1956. Suitableborder structure, such as that disclosed in the applications Serial Nos.596,589 and 596,590, may

be provided along the parallel and opposed edges or margins 34 of thespring assembly in engagement with the end convolutions of the springsin the adjacent border files, the delta-tip 36 on the ends of the tiewires providing border support for the other opposed margins adjacentthe border rows, as disclosed in the 'applications Serial Nos. 495,309and 596,590. x

description proceeds that other types of springs, for example, ofcylindrical or conical outline may be utilized. An exemplary arrangementfor connecting cylindrical springs together in a spring assembly isdisclosed in my copending application Serial No. 604,381, filed August16, 1956, now Patent No. 2,942,278, June 28, 1960, and an exemplaryarrangement for connecting conical springs together to define a springassembly is disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 634,366,filed January 15, 1957, now Patent No. 2,961,667.

In the exemplary assembly shown in the drawings, it will be observedthat the spacing and arrangement of the springs 22 is such that therewill also be provided spaced and parallel diagonal or inclined lines 38of springs extending in one direction and diagonal or inclined lines 40extending at an angle to the lines 38.

In accordance with the invention, it is contemplated that a stiff planarmember or members inserted into the spring assembly 20 in engagementwith intermediate convolutions 42 of the springs 22 in adjacent rows 24,files 26 and/or diagonal lines 38, 40, these members being entirelyindependent of and separate from the means, such as the tie wires 28 andclips 30, for connecting the springs together, and further preferablybeing constructed to be conveniently inserted into or removed from thespring assembly, as desired.

In FIGURES 1 and 2, such a member 44 is shown as being arranged betweentwo adjacent files 26 of springs, and of a length approximating thelength of the files, and a uniform width somewhat greater than thespacing between the axes of corresponding springs in the adjacent files.As indicated in FIGURE 2, the member 44 preferably is arranged ingenerally perpendicular relation ship to the axes of the springs, andmay be in the position indicated in solid lines or in the positionsindicated in phantom lines. In other words, the member 44 may bepositioned at any desirable elevation intermediate the top and bottomend convolutions 32 of the springs.

As illustrated, member 44 is of elongated rectangular configuration andmay be made of wood, metal or plastic, or any other material whereby itwill have the properties of substantial stiffness and inflexibility torigidity the engaged springs.

The member 44 may be arranged in the position shown by inserting it intothe spring assembly 20 between corresponding intermediate convolutions42 at the end of the adjacent files 26 between which it is desired toarrange the member, and then sliding it in a direction parallel to thefiles until the member 44 is entirely within the spring assembly. Atthis time. member 44 will be tightly and frictionally held in thisposition by reason of its engagement to the intermediate convolutions 42as indicated in FIGURES l and 2.

To facilitate the initial insertion of the member 44 into the springassembly 20, one or both ends thereof may be formed so that the cornersthereof are partially cut away or rounded as indicated by numeral 46.Furthermore, the member 44 may be provided with notches 48 at one endthereof for reception of the engaged intermediate convolutions of thesprings to serve as a lock preventing movement of the member 44 in adirection parallel to the files 26. Similar notches may be provided atother locations along the edges 50, 52 of the member 44 as indicated bynumerals 54, 56, 58.

It will be appreciated that when the member 44 is arranged in desiredposition between the files 26, for example as shown, the springconvolutions directly above the member 44 will act individually inresponse to loads applied thereto so as to fit the curves of the body,while the convolutions of the springs directly below the member 44 willact collectively as a result of any downward movement of the member 44.It will also be appreciated that by varying the stiffness of the member44, or by changing its elevation in the spring assembly, the stiffnesscharacteristics of the springs 22 engaged thereby will be likewisevaried.

It is contemplated that members similar to member 44 may be alsoarranged between adjacent rows 24 of springs, and/ or between adjacentdiagonal lines 38 or 40 of springs in the spring assembly whereby theuser may conveniently vary the stiffness characteristics of the springassembly in virtually any manner and practically in all locationstherein so as to satisfy his individual needs or preferences. FIGURES3-5 illustrate a member 44' arranged between adjacent rows 24, whileFIGURES 6 and 7 illustrate a member 44" arranged between adjacentdiagonal lines 38, it being understood that member 44" may be similarlyarranged between adjacent lines 40. As was the case with member 44,members 44 and 44" may be arranged at any preferred elevation orelevations between the top and bottom end convolutions 32 of the springsto provide for further variation in the stiffness characteristics orposture supporting functions of the spring assembly.

As best shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, member 44 may be provided with notches48' adjacent the curved or rounded corners 46' for locking engagement tothe spring convolutions 42, the rounded corners 46 again facilitatinginsertion of the member into the rows.

The member 44", shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, also includes rounded corners46" at one end and notches 48" for locking engagement with theintermediate convolutions 42.

It will be understood that the members 44, 44' and 44" are designed soas to be conveniently inserted into or removed from the spring assembly20 at any desirable locations and elevations depending on the locationand nature of the stiffening or rigidifying function sought.Furthermore, the length of these members may be such as to extendthroughout less than the entire length of the rows 24, files 26, ordiagonal lines 38 or 40 between which they are arranged.

In order to permit the insertion of the members 44, 44, 44" into thespring assembly 20, or their removal therefrom, the cover orupholstering (not shown) for the spring assembly may be provided withsome suitable means, such as a zipper or the like, whereby access to theinterior of the spring assembly or mattress will be permitted around allsides.

As previously indicated, members similar to members 44, 44, 44" may besimilarly arranged between adjacent parallel lines of cylindrical orconical springs and in engagement with intermediate convolutions thereofin generally the same manner as that described hereinabove in connectionwith the hourglass-type springs 22.

It will be observed that the width of the members is such that they willfit securely between adjacent rows, files or diagonal lines of springsin the assembly by frictional engagement to the intermediateconvolutions 42 and without requiring any special attachment, and theyaccordingly will advantageously be entirely independent of the means forinterconnecting the springs, such as the tie wires 28 and clips 30,whereby they can be removed, if desired, and there will be provided arelatively free action of the stiff members during use, and independentspring action on each section of the assembly covered by such a member.

In some cases, it may be desirable to have the membars 44, 44, 44 of agreater width than the transverse distance between the opposed andengaged intermediate convolutions whereby the springs will be somewhattensioned or stretched laterally outwardly when engaged by thesemembers, thus further providing against dislodgement or otherundesirable movements of such members. And in this connection, thesemembers may all be engaged to the springs at substantially correspondingintermediate points of the springs, as indicated in FIGURES 3-5, or atdifferent points, as indicated in FIGURES 1, 2, 6 and 7.

Members 44, 44 and 44", as should be evident, may be inserted in theassembly 20 during or after construction of the assembly, and any numberthereof may be arranged in the assembly in any beneficial and salutarymanner, including an arrangement wherein they lie one on top of theother or at dillerent levels throughout the assembly to function so thatthe body will be supported in proper position, for example, in levelspinal alignment.

The present invention will thus be seen to completely and eilectivelyaccomplish the objects enumerated hereinabove. It will be realized,however, that various changes and substitutions may be made to thespecific embodiments disclosed herein for the purpose of illustratingthe principles of this invention, without departing from theseprinciples. Therefore, this invention includes all modificationsencompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. An innerspring product such as a mattress or the like comprising aplurality of individual coil springs of wire-like elements, meansconnecting said springs together in substantial parallelism and inpredetermined spaced relation in parallel lines to define a springassembly, a stiff and planar member independent or said con- 5 meetingmeans disposed between adjacent lines of said springs in perpendicularrelation to the axes thereof, and extending parallel to said adjacentlines in removable frictional engagement with intermediate convolutionsof corresponding springs in said adjacent lines, said member havingparallel lateral edges engaging said corresponding springs and havingnotches formed in said edges for receivirrg the Wire-like elements in atleast some of the last named springs.

2. A spring assembly for use in an upholstered prodnot such as amattress, a cushion, or the like including: a plurality of individualcoil springs; means connecting said springs together at their endconvolutions whereby said springs are in substantial parallelism and inpredetermined spaced relation to define parallel lines of springs, astiif and fiat board or the like of a substantially uniform widthslightly greater than the spacing between the axes of correspondingsprings in adjacent lines, said member being independent of saidconnecting means and further being removably mounted in said springassembly in substantially perpendicular relation to the axes of saidsprings and in tight frictional engagement along its edges withintermediate convolutions of corresponding springs in adjacent lines.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

